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Pedi: What's more important, experience or same day appt availability?

veloelleveloelle member
in Parenting
We switched the kids from their pedi to out PCP. I like him as a doc, but he never has same day appointments, like 9 out of 10 times. So once again, I'm stuck at urgent care. There is a brand new pedi straight out of her residency (she was chief) and set up shop in our medical plan. I'm thinking new doc = less busy. Any experiences with newbie pediatricians? I'm so fed up w/ wasting hours at UC. And we can't change plans, we just had open enrollment.
DD 7.28.06 * DS 3.29.10
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Christmas 2011
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Re: Pedi: What's more important, experience or same day appt availability?

  • KellyGreenKellyGreen
    I don't think I would like to have to choose between the two.
    Noah (12~28~06) and Eli (8~5~10)

    image

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  • Jelly99Jelly99

    Our Pedi is somewhat of a newbie...I think he's been in practice about 5 years and has a son 1 year younger than DD. He is awesome! Instead of being stuck in his "ways" about things he is up to date on all the newest technologies, tests, etc. and so far has had nothing but great advice for us.

    It wouldn't hurt to at least try the new pedi. I don't even know a Pedi that doesn't take same day appointments. I agree that is pretty important.

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  • Jodi&JoeJodi&Joe

    I didn't check credentials when choosing the pedi.  I know, horrible, right?

    But I went for an "interview" with them -- there were 4 other couples there (new parents).  The pedi (it's a group of 5 but one of the pedis was there for the meeting) went over some of the information of the practice (how long they've been practicing, their hours, etc) and we were able to ask questions.  I had a list of questions (I have NO idea what they were now! LOL!) and that was that.

    The thing that lead me to them was nothing more than the fact that they were affiliated with the hospital at which I delivered at (and is my preference for hospital for emergencies).  My OB is in the same building as well.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE our pedi - so it worked out.  But I think this is one of those things that you just find out as you go.  If they are a licensed physician, go for it.  It's more about personality and accomodations, IMO, than any particular length of practice.

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  • amiamishamiamish

    We switched to our pedi when he first started right out of residency, we've been with him for 3 years now. He's AWESOME. He keeps up with all the new stuff, he's open minded (not old and set in his ways) he does research. He's very knowledgeable... I love him. And his nurse is super great too. We can ALWAYS get in with him on the same day. Plus he works some Saturdays too.

    So, I would give the new pedi a try. You can always switch back. :)

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  • MrsStubbsMrsStubbs member

    My practice has a few doc. I schedule their check ups with the same person, I love her. If they are sick and I have to take them in that day, we take who we can get. I like all of the doc in the office.

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  • peekaboo716peekaboo716 member

    My pedi never has same day appointments. She works part time, so she's really hard to see for an ear infection, for example. However, I usually don't have trouble scheduling with another doc in the practice, and have no issue with it.

    Just because someone's new, doesn't necessarily mean they aren't good. I'd try the new doc.

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  • tammyz25tammyz25 member
    i would meet with her to try to get a feeling for the situation. sometimes the personality is a big part - even right out of residency.
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  • Cbidt's girlCbidt's girl
    I think it depends on your history - do your kids have complicated medical history? If so, I'd shy away from a brand new dr. If there isn't anything complex in your history I'd try out the new dr as long as she's board certified. I won't see anyone who isn't.
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  • amiamishamiamish

    imageCbidt's girl:
    I think it depends on your history - do your kids have complicated medical history? If so, I'd shy away from a brand new dr. If there isn't anything complex in your history I'd try out the new dr as long as she's board certified. I won't see anyone who isn't.
    I disagree. Jake was having issues all.the.time. and since we could never see our doc or even the same doc when he was sick nobody could understand what was happening. Also, they didn't believe what I was saying since they didn't know me. When we switched he started seeing the same doc every time Jake was no longer crying when we went to the doc, he would let the doc listen to his chest, check him over. I could tell he trusted him.

    Anyway, long story short- just because he's new doesn't mean he can't handle a complex medical history. 

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  • septemberdreamsseptemberdreams
    I prefer younger doctors.  I think they're more up to date and definitely more open and not stuck in their ways.
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  • MirandaHobbesMirandaHobbes member
    Since DH and I work full-time I'd use a minute clinic/doc in a box for a lot of things.  When DS had pink eye a few months ago it sure was nice to get in and out of Target in an hour. I know everyone has a minute clinic horror story about an unqualified or inexperienced doc, but I'd probably start there before going to urgent care (and before making a days out appt with a doc). Idk- Ds doesn't get sick often either so when he does it's pretty basic stuff like pink eye or fever. If he had something chronic it would be a different story.
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  • happy_mommahappy_momma
    Well, neither of those situations sound ideal to me, but given the choice, I'd probably try the new pedi and see what she's like.  Being able to get same day appointments is a must for me for a pedi for me...or at least a doctor in the practice.  We don't necessarily get our first choice on a same day appointment, but they get us an appointment with someone in the practice. To me, urgent care is for after hours or weekends. I would not be happy if I had to routinely go there for sick visits - that's when I need my pedi the most.
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  • jlw2505jlw2505 member
    I won't choose between the two.  I go to a clinic that has a lot of Peds and NP - I have gotten to know just about all of them since my older DD was born.  I like all but 2 of the docs/NPs on staff so when I call for a sick visit, I will take an appointment with any but the 2 that I didn't care for as much.  The office will also try to get me in with my doc 1st and then if that is not possible, they check my kids history to see who else she has seen a lot of as they try to not have your kids seeing a ton of different docs all the time.  We are part of a large medical system so I have even had to take my kids to a different office but still within the system at times but it honestly doesn't bother me since the medical records are all electronic so anyone in the system that I see can pull up our history.  My ped just moved to a different office so I switched peds to the one that was always my 1st choice after my ped and it was so seemless due to the system. 
    Jenni Mom to DD#1 - 6-16-06 DD#2 - 3-13-08 
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